Aimee Lopez | Science & Technology Sphere
As a Civil engineer & international project manager, and the founder of the non-profit, Heart-to-Heart Teens, Aimee Lopez has worked in Construction and Development over 20 years. A civil engineer graduate with an emphasis in Construction Management from the University of South California. Also certified from USC's Real Estate Planning and Development. Lopez's background includes program and construction management for data centers, school campuses, biotech, hospitals, and TI on Global and local projects.
Aimee Lopez leads with integrity, clarity and transparency. Recognized in her community and by clients for her leadership, mentoring and client support. Currently managing programs for Global Data Centers globally in MEP upgrades and construction. Aimee is also very active in her community by providing mentoring programs to at-risk teens and families. She founded a local non-profit serving families in leadership development, mentoring and life-skills. Recipient of the NFL 49ers Community Award for making a difference in her community.
Aimee's passion is to not only build buildings but also build lives!
Dora Kung | Ethnomusicology Track
Dr. Dora Hsiang-Ning Kung, a native of Taiwan, serves as an assistant professor at Dallas International University. She prepares cross-cultural workers in the area of ethnodoxology—a movement calling all people groups to worship the God in the Bible using their heart languages and culturally appropriate expressions. Dora was an international student in the US and joined International Friendships Inc. (IFI) in 2017.
Damon Moon | Business Sphere
Damon spent the first decade of his career in management consulting helping tech clients find new business opportunities and improve their bottom line. Recently, he worked at Samsung, where he created an internal open innovation program called SamsungOpen. Currently, he is a lecturer at the Lucas College of Business in SJSU, teaching Global Dimensions of Business. Outside being a lecturer, he also runs a startup that helps college students make meaningful relationships with their classmates on their digital-first college experience. Damon holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Seoul National University, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from UCLA Anderson. He lives with his wife, Joy, and his two kids, Jiho (12) and Teo (10), in the Bay Area. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking and podcasting.
Patricia Kriska | Christian Entrepreneurship Track
A Lecturer in Entrepreneurship from Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business for over thirty years, Patricia Kriska has taught various for credit and non-credit Entrepreneurship courses at the Dallas campus and Entrepreneurship seminars in Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Pat also owns the authorship of A Dowry In Lace, importer of European lace products, and works consulting for Dallas area entrepreneurs, specializing in business plan preparation.
Richard Mendola | Mentorship Track
Moy Soriano | Establishing a Christian Community Track
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Moy and his wife are catalyzing new work in the Pacific Northwest, USA. His desire is to see a great harvest of souls come to know Jesus as Lord, be baptized, and join a healthy community of disciples who go and make disciples. He also has a passion to see believers understand their call to be disciples whose purpose is to multiply. Moy loves to encourage and train Kingdom-minded believers to identify and grow in their God given gifts. His vision is to see a new network of house churches birthed wherever he goes. Moy is on staff with Biglife and is currently the interim director for Latin America. God has given him two languages and he loves using both languages for God’s Glory. |
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Danny Walker | Discipleship Track
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Danny and Cheryl Walker have served as IFI volunteers for 15 years. Married for over 40 years, Walkers have two children and four grandchildren. Walkers have hosted and mentored students from many countries for short stays as well as long term. As IFI National Discipleship Coordinator, Danny is leading IFI staff and volunteers (as well as students) to be faithful and fruitful in Jesus' Great Commission. Danny & Cheryl have a special passion for seeing Jesus glorified among the people of Nepal and India. |
Sandeep Thomas | Discipleship Track
Sandeep Thomas was born in Mumbai, India into a devout Christian community whose roots trace back to the early church founded in Kerala, India by Apostle Thomas in 52 AD. His own faith journey was a progression from teenage doubt, to exploring the various religions of India, to coming to the realization that God had uniquely revealed Himself in Jesus Christ.
Sandeep’s career spans both the marketplace and ministry worlds. He did his undergrad in Electrical Engineer. His life in the US took many unexpected turns with a string of challenges and powerful encounters with Christ. These life altering experiences of Christ’s love led him to a calling to full time ministry in 2002. For 15 years, Sandeep has been a Pastor and a missionary training others in sharing the Gospel with South Asians. He has been with ISI since 2013. He is currently pursuing a second Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy as God has been expanding his calling into new spheres of influence.
Since his journey in ministry, the question topmost in his mind has been, what does it mean to obey Christ? He has come to see “making reproducing disciples” as Christ’s central ask of His followers. Sandeep is married to Sonia and has one adult child Ahia, who is a nurse and a son Andrew who is 17.
Sonia Thomas | Education Sphere
Sonia Thomas was born in Mumbai and came to the US in 2001 to pursue her PhD in Biochemistry. She did her postdoctoral work at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Since then, she has trained students both in the laboratory and in the classroom. She teaches biochemistry, physiology, neurobiology and cancer biology at KU to students, many of whom are on their path to medical school.
Her passions in life are serving the Lord with her husband, Sandeep and mentoring the next generation. Her own walk with the Lord has spanned many years. One of her favorite verses in the Bible is: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3: 17-19, KJV)”
In her spare time, she enjoys talking with her husband, Sandeep about the importance of right communication in relationships and going for walks with him in the beautiful outdoors of Kansas where they contemplate upon the Lord’s wondrous work.
Simon Bull
Arts & Entertainment Sphere
Artist for boxing legend Muhammad Ali and official artist for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. British American artist Simon Bull has delighted audiences worldwide with his talks and art performances from Inaugural Balls, to the Smithsonian Institute.
With tens of thousands of collectors worldwide he is known for his use of brilliant color and ability to connect with and inspire audiences.
Aboubacar Dakuyo
Government Sphere
Aboubacar Dakuyo was born in Burkina Faso into a Muslim family. He converted to Christianity when he was 20 and was consequently expelled from his family by his father. Supported by his local church, Aboubacar went on to study law until he obtained his law degree in Burkina Faso. He then left to continue his studies in Geneva, Switzerland, where he obtained a Master's degree in development studies. Aboubacar immigrated to Canada in 2010. He continued his studies and obtained a Master's degree in International Law at the Université du Québec à Montréal and a Doctorate in International Law at the University of Ottawa. Aboubacar now works as a Policy Analyst for the Canadian federal government and as a lecturer at the University of Ottawa, where he teaches international human rights law, criminal law and restorative justice.
Solomon and Ruby Kendagor
Religion Sphere & Family Sphere
Solomon and Ruby serve with International Students Inc., a ministry that seek to share the love of Christ with International Students. After serving locally as City Director (Solomon) and City Mobilizer (Ruby) they are now Global Ministry Specialists and reaching to returnees around the world. They are International Speakers on topics of leadership, evangelism, conflict resolution and Marriage & Family. They have traveled extensively to more than 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, The Caribbean and Americas. Some of the countries where they have ministered continue to invite them back. They include Sri Lanka, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Togo (where 8 countries come together for a week of seminars), Kenya, Indonesia , Tanzania and other countries.
Solomon has MDiv from Columbia International University, ThM from Covenant Theological Seminary, MEd in Counseling and Mini MBA from University of Missouri St. Louis, and PhD from University of Pretoria. Solomon is Board Certified Chaplain with APC.
Ruby has BA in Biblical Studies from Prairie Bible College, BA in Christian Education from Columbia International University and MA in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She is Board Certified Chaplain with APC and trained as Pastoral Counseling Specialist with American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Solomon has MDiv from Columbia International University, ThM from Covenant Theological Seminary, MEd in Counseling and Mini MBA from University of Missouri St. Louis, and PhD from University of Pretoria. Solomon is Board Certified Chaplain with APC.
Ruby has BA in Biblical Studies from Prairie Bible College, BA in Christian Education from Columbia International University and MA in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She is Board Certified Chaplain with APC and trained as Pastoral Counseling Specialist with American Association of Pastoral Counselors.